It's not often people knock on Roland's door, for the simple reason that there aren't too many people who visit. Those who do tend to meet him in the common room, and the only person who tends to come straight for Roland's door is the Signless. His knock is different, though, and anyway Roland isn't expecting him, so when Roland opens the door it's with an expression of curiosity. That expression does not remain curious for long.
"Oh, Alain." The look that replaces that curiosity is one of deep and grateful relief. His left arm goes around Alain's back and his right, with its working arm and shining mechanical fingers, settles itself at the base of his old friend's skull. If the clear rubber covering on those two fingers catches a few of Alain's hairs, well. Roland will cry his pardon later. Or maybe he won't. Some prices are worth paying for a good hug.
He leans forward, his dark hair mixing in with Alain's light, and keeps close enough that the tears sliding down Roland's cheek might brush over Alain's as well. "It's a gift to see you again, dear. A gift," he says, and doesn't ask after anything at all because Alain is here and alive and warm against him. What else is there that's worth knowing?
D4
"Oh, Alain." The look that replaces that curiosity is one of deep and grateful relief. His left arm goes around Alain's back and his right, with its working arm and shining mechanical fingers, settles itself at the base of his old friend's skull. If the clear rubber covering on those two fingers catches a few of Alain's hairs, well. Roland will cry his pardon later. Or maybe he won't. Some prices are worth paying for a good hug.
He leans forward, his dark hair mixing in with Alain's light, and keeps close enough that the tears sliding down Roland's cheek might brush over Alain's as well. "It's a gift to see you again, dear. A gift," he says, and doesn't ask after anything at all because Alain is here and alive and warm against him. What else is there that's worth knowing?